via Tomana gunning for human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa | SW Radio Africa by Tererai Karimakwenda on Monday, May 5, 2014
The outspoken human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, may soon be defending herself again in a case that was already dismissed by the High Court last year, after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appealed against her acquittal on charges of “defeating or obstructing the course of justice”.
Mtetwa was accused of violating the Criminal Codification Act after she allegedly interfered with police officers who were attempting to conduct a search at the home of one of MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai’s aides, as well as his offices in Harare in March, 2013.
The police claimed Mtetwa told the police officers to stop whatever they were doing as it was “unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic”. They also claimed she used the words “You confused cockroaches” and “Murimbwa dzaMugabe”, meaning: “You are Mugabe’s dogs.”
But the award-winning lawyer was acquitted by Harare provincial magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa in November, after the State closed their case, with Mugwagwa ruling that the NPA had failed to establish a case against her.
However the NPA, headed by prosecutor-general Johannes Tomana, on Friday filed an appeal at the High Court arguing that the magistrate Mugwagwa had “erred and misdirected herself” when she dismissed the case, ignoring evidence which established a “prima facie case” against Mtetwa.
Represented by Tozivepi Mapfuwa, Tomana argues that the magistrate failed to observe that Mtetwa’s “utterances” were meant to disturb or hinder police officers from executing their duties.
Tomana also claims that that the three police officers who testified for the state all corroborated each other’s statements, claiming that Mtetwa had closed the gate at the residence that was being searched in Westgate suburb, attempting to prevent the officers from leaving with some exhibits they had reportedly recovered.
It is widely believed that Tomana is prosecuting Mtetwa in an attempt to silence the outspoken human rights lawyer, who is also the board chairperson at the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
COMMENTS
I have a lot of respect for Mtetwa,she is a truely brave, and all these man ganging up on her should bow their heads in shame, they are real cowards.
Murume mukuru kusanyara honestly, if women stand up to defend those unjustly treated, why do men like Tomanaa rise up without shame to try to silence justice.
Because Tomana is as bent as a hairpin and has always been. Beatrice will one day expose everything she knows and that will make great reading.
WHERE DID HE GET HIS LAW DEGREE! IS IT ONE OF THESE WEEKEND ONES THEY DISH OUT THESE DAYS!
The rule of law in Zimbabwe is perverted –
Leave Beatrice Mtetwa alone. She is a genuine Zimbabwean heroine.
Another typical prosecution under the New Zimbabwean Constitution. Well that was well negotiated and obviously well read by the ruling elite and police force.
zanu reverting to their old tricks.. this persecution , blocking of peaceful marches, more beatings to follow maybe….
THERE IS NEVER RULE OF LAW IN THE ANIMAL FARM. THEY TRY TO ATTRACT INVESTORS AND CLAIM TO BE LAW ABIDING. TOMANA A POLITICAL ACTIVIST IS BEING DIRECTED TO ATTACK A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER. THE ZANU PF PPLE SAY ONE THING AND DO THE OPPOSITE. THEY LIE ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW. EVEN MEDIA FREEDOM IS JUST A MYTH OF MOYO PLAYING GAMES WITH THE PEOPLE PRETENDING HE REALIZED THAT THE MEDIA LAWS WERE BAD AFTER ALL. WHAT A FARCE! CHINAMASA SAYS THEY ‘NOW’ ARE TIRED OF CONFRONTATIONS….A FUNNY ADMISSION. IS IT A CEASEFIRE? THEY SAY INSINCERE THINGS WHEN IT SUITS THEN. NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE STOPPED VIOLENCE, BUT ATTACK PEOPLE IN EPWORTH THE VERY DAY. IF THEY HAVE STOPPED VIOLENCE DO THEY NEED TO TELL US. IF VIOLENCE HAS STOOPED WE CAN SEE IT FOR OURSELVES. ZANU PF HAVE DIVERSIONARY TACTICS THEY SAY THE OPPOSITE TO CATCH PEOPLE OF THEIR GUARD. WHEN DID A LEOPARD CHANGE ITS SPORTS
If Tomana wants Mtetwa convicted when she has already been acquitted by the High Court, he then should sign the papers for Jane Mutasa to be tried for the Telecel issue. The law must work all ways, or no way.
Before Tomana proceeds against Beatrice he should study the case of John Ngara and his fate after he made a fool of himself and made the party look stupid in the eyes of the world. Terrible waste of BMWs.
Tomana,chinamasa,police,cio,andministers of these organs.leave beatrice alone.i know that u are threarened bythis girl s intelligence but please take your thick selves n deal wth people who allocate themselves obscene salaries n shameful numbers of farms.why was she forced to behave the way you claim she behaved?tommy u hav sinned against the people more than this your child.
If Amnesty SA are failing assist rope in Amnesty International from Abroad to assist her – give these scum bags a run for their money